our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. >> reporter: the address seemed bolder than the last one, smacking of a state of the union address as he urged congress to work with him. >> we cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name calling as reasoned debate. >> reporter: people waited for hours and embraced the harder tone, a smaller crowd than the one four years ago, with an estimated 700,000 attendees. >> what difference does it make? >> reporter: anita jackson told me crunching numbers is missing the point in an inauguration rich with history and hope. >> i'm so proud and honored to be part of this environment today. >> reporter: before leaving the capitol steps today, mr. obama took one last look over the spectacle and said, i will never see this again. in washington, kristin ayers, cbs 5. >> a beautiful shot. kristin looks great too but the capitol, have you ever seen the capitol? you walk up, you stare. it's enormous. it's gorgeous. >>> 5:41. more delays for the dreamline